Navigon, an early mover on the iPhone App platform, and the market share leader for on-board persistent navigation Apss, has announced that they are going to be launching a Navigation App for the Android and Windows Mobile platform. The very full featured program will include a lot of the key attributes to make up a serious offering in the product including: Pre-loaded on, board maps, text to speech (says road names), Reality View and Lane Assist to help in navigating complex intersections, 2D and 3D views, automatic Day to Night brightness settings, auto Portrait/Landscape switch, and more.
I have to say that just as Navigon exited the US market for stand alone GPS devices, their interface was starting to roll, eliminating some of the real rough spots. While they still maintain an overseas business for standalone navigation devices, their approach to the iPhone App market has been ferocious with upgrade after upgrade, and strong price moves to keep them well positioned in the market. Should be interesting to see how they move in the up and coming Android market. The Android product will be available this Spring, while the Windows product is available now at a special $69 price at PocketGear.
ANDROID
NAVIGON, the leading innovator in the global navigation market, today announced an upcoming release of its on-board navigation application, MobileNavigator, for Android mobile phones in North America. Expected availability in spring 2010, MobileNavigator brings premium navigation features and experience from its well-received iPhone application. This, in tandem with the Windows phone platform announcement today, marks three major smartphone navigation solutions available in 2010 from NAVIGON.
“For over 16 years NAVIGON has been a leader in the development and deployment of exceptional navigation technology, which we now utilize for Android phones,” said Michael Roach, NAVIGON’S president for the Americas. “With a rapidly expanding user base, Android provides an exceptional platform for premium navigation capabilities. MobileNavigator seamlessly delivers an excellent on-board experience comparable to standalone personal navigation devices, without having to purchase, carry and use multiple devices.”
MobileNavigator relies on the devices’ GPS receiver as well as the pre-loaded maps and critical data providing full function navigation capabilities when a cell signal is not available. Off-board navigation, in comparison, is dependent on a cell phone connection to download map and routing data. Therefore, no cell signal renders navigation useless or interrupted until a connection is re-established. According to the latest market data from Canalys, NAVIGON is the industry and market leader of on-board/perpetual navigation solutions for mobile phones in the U.S. with a market share of 23 percent.
NAVIGON’S hallmark navigation features for Android include Reality View™ Pro, Lane Assistant Pro, Speed Assistant and Day & Night Mode. NAVIGON’S sophisticated and elegant map views including branded POIs along the route are also included. The NAVIGON solution is equipped with maps of North America (US, Canada, Hawaii and Puerto Rico) from NAVTEQ®.
Key features of the NAVIGON MobileNavigator for Android phones:
Pricing and Availability
Expected in Spring 2010, the application will be available for a one-time fee.
WINDOWS MOBILE
NAVIGON, the leading innovator in the global navigation market, today announced a North American version of its on-board navigation software for Windows® phones. MobileNavigator converts Windows enabled phones into navigation devices comparable to stand alone solutions.
Following the successful launch of its iPhone navigation app, MobileNavigator, NAVIGON now expands its smartphone offerings in the North American market with the launch of a Windows phone application. “Navigation on smartphones is growing at an exponential rate and NAVIGON is committed to our promise of delivering premium navigation software for several mobile platforms in North America,” said Michael Roach, NAVIGON’S president for the Americas. “Our long standing experience points out on-board navigation, such as ours, is the preferred and most reliable way to navigate.”
On-board navigation saves the total map material on the device and relies on the GPS receiver as well as the pre-loaded maps making it fully functional when no cell phone signal is available. Off-board navigation, in comparison, is dependent on cell phone connections, and must constantly download map data. Therefore, no cell signal renders navigation useless or interrupted until a connection is made. In addition, users often have to pay subscription fees for off-board navigation and are forced to subscribe to data plans, which can add further monthly costs. According to the latest market data from Canalys, NAVIGON is the industry leader of on-board/perpetual navigation solutions for mobile phones in the U.S. with a market share of 23 percent.
“Microsoft is pleased to see NAVIGON bring its on-board navigation software to Windows phones,” said Jason Lim, director of ISV and developer experience at Microsoft. “Simply put, MobileNavigator makes it easy for people to find their way at any time while using a Windows phone.”
The Windows phone software includes many of NAVIGON’s hallmark navigation functions not found in other systems such as Reality View™ Pro, Lane Assistant Pro, Speed Assistant and Day & Night Mode. It also features NAVIGON’s sophisticated and elegant map views including branded POIs along the route.
Key features of the NAVIGON MobileNavigator for Windows phones:
The NAVIGON solution sells for $89.00 and is equipped with maps of North America (US, Canada, Hawaii and Puerto Rico) from NAVTEQ®. It will be available for a promotional price of $69.00 until February 14, 2010 at Pocketgear.com and Smartphone.net within the next week; with more retailers to follow.
Source: GpsLodge
Read more here:Navigon Announces Navigation for the Android and Windows Mobile Phone Platform